Scan barcode
A review by uglycovers
The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell
4.0
An interesting concept insufficiently handled.
The book begins with a impactful tragedy and a fascinating dilemma. Both Jake and Stella are fully fleshed out characters with interesting backgrounds but when they come together... it becomes a little blah. In particular, Jake's attitude towards the end of the book is unpleasant and the ending feels forced and unlikely given all that has happened between them. Too much is forgiven or overlooked way too quickly and I never felt any investment in their relationship enough the warrant the severity of their feelings.
O'Farrell's transitions between perspectives are confusing at best, baffling at worst and at times feel like they're more of a hindrance than a help to the storytelling. An interesting sneakpeak into what O'Farrell will be able to accomplish in her later works, but is at yet unmastered.
The book begins with a impactful tragedy and a fascinating dilemma. Both Jake and Stella are fully fleshed out characters with interesting backgrounds but when they come together... it becomes a little blah. In particular, Jake's attitude towards the end of the book is unpleasant and the ending feels forced and unlikely given all that has happened between them. Too much is forgiven or overlooked way too quickly and I never felt any investment in their relationship enough the warrant the severity of their feelings.
O'Farrell's transitions between perspectives are confusing at best, baffling at worst and at times feel like they're more of a hindrance than a help to the storytelling. An interesting sneakpeak into what O'Farrell will be able to accomplish in her later works, but is at yet unmastered.